Fifth-graders form book club

Our club

We are soon-to-be fifth-grade students at Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary School in Arlington Heights — and sometimes our siblings and parents attend as well. We aim to meet monthly, but it often turns out to be every other month or so. We take turns hosting, which involves choosing the book, leading the discussion, coming up with some related activities and serving a story-themed snack. The kids love laughing together, and the parents love the friendships that have formed between our families. We're glad to share the joy of reading and discussing books with our kids.

How we got started

The kids met in first grade in a reading group with the school's reading specialist. We continued the group during the summers. In the third grade, when the reading group was no longer offered at school, we decided to make it a year-round activity.